True Religious Practice Devoid of Show
Introduction
Both Jesus and Paul speak to us today on sincere and generous sharing. To Paul, the generous, spontaneous givers are ministers of God’s goodness; by giving thanks to God for what they themselves have received they are further enriching themselves by sharing. Giving – also praying and doing penance – must be done for the sake of God, says Jesus, not to congratulate oneself or to be admired by others. It would be good for us, for our Catholic organizations and institutions of the Church to remember that we have no monopoly on charity, that God is present in every act of love and sharing, also when not bearing the Catholic label. True love is discreet, like God’s.
1 Reading: 2 Corinthians 9:6-11
Brothers and sisters, consider this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. Moreover, God is able to make every grace abundant for you, so that in all things, always having all you need, you may have an abundance for every good work. As it is written: He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures forever. The one who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You are being enriched in every way for all generosity, which through us produces thanksgiving to God.
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 112:1bc-2, 3-4, 9
R.(1b) Blessed the man who fears the Lord. or: R. Alleluia.
Blessed the man who fears the LORD,
who greatly delights in his commands.
His posterity shall be mighty upon the earth;
the upright generation shall be blessed. R.
Wealth and riches shall be in his house;
his generosity shall endure forever.
Light shines through the darkness for the upright;
he is gracious and merciful and just. R.
Lavishly he gives to the poor;
his generosity shall endure forever;
his horn shall be exalted in glory. R.
Alleluia: John 14:23
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Whoever loves me will keep my word,
and my Father will love him
and we will come to him.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18
Jesus said to his disciples: “Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father. When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. “When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. “When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to others to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.”
Commentary
Exactly, this same portion of the Sermon on the Mount, we heard on Ash Wednesday early March. The clear message of this scripture is to avoid ostentation—or prideful showiness (showboating)—in any form. Whether it is donations, praying, or fasting, what you do should be solely between you and God. There is a great temptation to let others know of our spiritual practices. Of course, there are times when we legitimately speak of our spiritual lives without the intention of drawing attention to ourselves. But if we use religion in any way to advance our personal agenda, the value of our spiritual actions is diminished.
There is nothing in and of itself wrong with publicly performing an action of faith or prayer. Public charitable contributions can be very good, and communal (or public) prayer certainly has its place in our Christian lives and should be encouraged. ‘Abusus non tollit usum’ (Abuse does not remove use). It is when these things are done expressly to attract attention that they are misdirected.
Paul today applauds generosity and concern for others. “God loves a cheerful giver.” God has provided for our needs, and in being generous with them, they are not diminished. If we are the providers of seed for the field and bread for the table, we are assured a good harvest, “the harvest of our righteousness.”
The poor widow who provided food for Elijah in his hunger was rewarded. Her personal store of food, despite drought and famine, was never exhausted. If we give of what we have with love and kindness, whether we are rich or poor, we will never be the losers. However, it is important for pastoral agents not to misuse or misinterpret this beautiful phrase as cliché for financial extortion from poor congregants. Let’s beware.
Blessing
Everything we do as Christians must arise from the motive of giving glory to God and serving humanity. Even the highly exalted core religious practices of fasting, prayers and charity – all for God’s sake! May God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!